Story by
The Tribune-Star, Terre Haute, Ind.
Camaraderie high for Sycamores as newcomers get to know each other
- Story byThe Tribune-Star, Terre Haute, Ind.
- Camaraderie high for Sycamores as newcomers get to know each other
Three of the newcomers on the court for the Indiana State men's basketball team this summer believe the Sycamores' energy level is high going into the 2026-27 season.
They've gotten to know each other after arriving at ISU, where coach Matthew Graves is rebuilding the roster following last season's departures from records of 11-21 overall and 4-16 in the Missouri Valley Conference.
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One newcomer, Maguire Mitchell, said this year's players all live near each other. So they're frequently together, especially with the quieter summertime campus atmosphere.
"We're with each other every single day during the week," Mitchell told the Tribune-Star.
Another Sycamore, Chance Puryear, said the coaching staff will be in the gym lifting weights with the players and actually beat the players to the gym. Regarding team chemistry, Puryear said it helps since there aren't any egos going around.
Jackson Cooper, also new, said they've had a bunch of dinners and have been out to a couple of restaurants in Terre Haute.
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Chance Puryear
Puryear transferred into ISU from SMU in Texas and originally hails from Dallas.
"The vibes have been great from Day 1," he assessed. "The energy is through the roof."
He said the team is filled with a lot of hard-working gym rats. Puryear is one of those sizeable guards Graves referenced at that practice. He stands at 6-foot-7, which will help against tough Valley opponents.
Puryear said he brings his versatility and can do pretty much anything the coaches ask him to do.
"We have a lot of length on this team and we're looking forward to making a big impact," Puryear emphasized.
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In a previous conversation with Graves, he praised Puryear as someone who can step into a role and do whatever the team needs. Puryear said that's how he grew up with being a leader and explained his voice is a big strength of his.
"I have the ability to lead a team," he insisted.
As far as someone he tries to model his game after, he mentioned Kevin Durant, Caris LeVert, whom he said he watches a lot of as well, and Brandon Ingram. On the court, Puryear said he's a little bit of everything as far as offense and defense goes.
Maguire Mitchell
Mitchell is excited to get the feel for a full Hulman Center as he compared the small crowd of season-ticket holders to the normal crowd they'd get at his last school, IU Indy.
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"It's really cool to see all these people come support us out at practice," Mitchell said.
On the court, the Zionsville native said fans should definitely expect him to knock down some 3-pointers, but also said he's been working on getting to the rim and getting his teammates involved.
As far as being part of what it basically an expansion team minus returnee Martin Kaupanger, Mitchell said it's a really good culture and family they have on the team.
"When someone's not having a good day, we're all there to pick him up," Mitchell explained. "We have multiple leaders."
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He emphasized that everyone is bringing the energy and said it's really good. Mitchell said the coaching staff has been great and that it felt like family during his first visit.
Jackson Cooper
For Cooper. a 6-foot-7 forward, moving across the country from Oregon has been the biggest adjustment. His official visit to ISU was the first time he traveled to the Midwest. He said it's been awesome as far as the coaching staff goes, adjusting to the NCAA Division I level. He said there are a lot more coaches at ISU compared to the Oregon Institute of Technology, which employed only two coaches.
Jumping up to the D-I level, Cooper said guys are bigger, faster and stronger.
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"I think my game fits this level really well and I haven't had many big adjustments," Cooper said.
Cooper grew up a Portland Trail Blazers fan. So for style of play, Cooper said he looks to model his game after former Trail Blazers All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge.
"Modern day, I like [Nikola] Jokic a little bit more," Cooper added. "He's unreal."
On the court, Cooper said he's just a dude who will impact winning, whether it's offensively, defensively, rebounding on both ends of the floor, creating and playmaking or being an overall leader.
Cooper isn't the only Pacific Northwest kid on the team though, which has helped him. The Sycamores also roster Duce Paschal from Portland and Martin Kaupanger from Gig Harbor, Wash.
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"Martin's a great dude," Cooper said. "I think him just being from the Washington area and me being from the Pacific Northwest has been awesome."
It wasn't Cooper's first time meeting Paschal either as they're familiar with each other from growing up in high school.
